Readers' comments

And so an ideology driven political realignment begins (it's just a pity its name provides little indication of what this is). However, it's only a beginning. In the meantime, I would like to see them sell their support to government and opposition on a policy by policy basis, showing voters what they stand for by deeds rather than just words (which is all the political 'manifesto' boom has proved to be so far).

One important fact about Mr. Watanabe: His late father, Michio Watanabe, was a head of a powerful LDP faction in the 1990s, and he has his sympathizers within the LDP. Having said that, Mr. Watanabe has prudently kept his distance from current LDP MPs (LDP Former MPs and Former LDP MPs have both featured in their list of candidates, but their one 'transfer' MP was an independent).

Disenchanted and under employed youth carrying about something other than their slef involved selves? If someone can show me a country other than Australia with free elections that the youth demographic votes in the same proportion as their elders, I will be in shock.

I confess I am not too knowledgeable about Japan's politics,but it seems that the dominant party within Japan blocks reforms of any kind and as been in power for far too many years.Japan would do well to embrace a new party and badly needed reforms for the 21st century.